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Which gland produces juvenile hormone in insects?
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An illustration of insect diversity.
In insects, juvenile hormone is produced and secreted by the corpora allata. These are a pair of non-neural endocrine glands located behind the corpora cardiaca, situated near the brain.123
This hormone plays a critical role in insect development by inhibiting metamorphosis, thereby maintaining tissues in a larval or juvenile state until late larval development. In addition to its role in growth and molting, juvenile hormone is necessary for normal egg production in adult females.123